Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot is pretty much the only film you need to see in 2016

It's set to be the film of the year and, after a mammoth three-year wait, there's no reason not to go and see Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Not only does the flick boast an impressive all-star cast, a bucket-load of special effects and a storyline that'll keep you hooked throughout, but it's going to be one of the big talking points around the office water cooler for some time, for both comic book fans and those who just like a decent couple of hours at the movies. 

If you still need a little nudge in the right direction, though, here are the reasons it is a definite must-see movie... 

THE movie of the year: Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot is pretty much the only film you need to see in 2016

1. Henry Cavill's back as the Man Of (buns of) Steel... and hunkier than ever

Handsome Henry is one of the easiest-on-the-eye Hollywood hunks of his generation, and his legions of fans will be thrilled to get another look at the 32-year-old in his skintight, super-snug Superman get-up. Based on the traditional cartoon bodysuit - but with modern improvements - Henry's muscular frame is at the front and centre. 

And he has also confessed to bulking up even more than he did for 2013's Man Of Steel, due to his competitive streak when pitted against co-star Ben.

'It does help certainly to have that little bit of stigma in the back of your head that you're never quite good enough, so you keep on working harder,' the actor explained recently while on Good Morning America. He also divulged that he 'worked a little harder on this one', resulting in his hulkier physique in order to compete with his attractive colleague. Hurrah.

What's not to love? Ben Affleck (left) makes his debut as a beautifully tortured and complex Batman, and Henry Cavill (left) returns in his skin-tight Superman uniform

Beefed up: Although hunky in Man Of Steel, Henry has confessed to bulking up even more for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

2. Ben Affleck is a beautifully tortured and complex Dark Knight

Batman is one of the most emotionally dark, brooding characters the comic world has ever known. And following Christian Bale's lauded portrayal of the Dark Knight in the Christopher Nolan-directed trilogy, newcomer Ben has some pretty big shoes to fill. But the 43-year-old appears to have done a great job at taking on the role for the first time, putting his own spin on the character and his real life persona Bruce Wayne.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Ben explained of this all-new Batman: 'He lives that life at full tilt. He courts many women, owns many cars, and parties a lot. He does that as a way to fill the void in his soul. 

He went on, revealing more about his emotional influences: 'Moreover, past incarnations dealt with a straightforward search for justice. This time, Batman's reasoning is clouded by frustration, bitterness, and anger.'  

Out with the old, in with the kick-ass: Gal Gadot's all-new Wonder Woman (right) is clad in a far more appropriate, tough armour, compared to Lynda Carter's 1970s version (left)

3. There's a really cool new Gal on the scene

Unless you've been stuck under that proverbial rock in recent months, you'll be well aware of rising star Gal Gadot, who is bringing female superhero legend Wonder Woman back to the fore in the new DC Extended Universe. Having previously appeared in the Fast & Furious franchise and missed out on a Bond Girl role years ago, this is the Israeli beauty's big breakthrough.

She's also a refreshingly normal, humble person at her core, and Gal - who was in the Israeli army for two years - still getting used to her newfound A-list status. Amusingly, she recently revealed that she 'screamed' when she found out she'd won the role. Speaking to Ellen DeGeneres, she explained that she had waited for two weeks after auditioning for the role with director Zack Snyder, who didn't even let on what the role was.

'I didn't know what I was auditioning for - they said it was super confidential,' she revealed during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

She went on to explain that when Zack finally filled her in, she had to pretend to play it cool, but eventually screamed with glee while struggling to keep it a secret from everyone around her.

She's a cool Gal: The 30-year-old actress was previously in the Israeli army for two years and is incredibly humbled over taking on such an iconic role - she's one to watch

4. And she is incredible, beautiful and powerful as she brings Wonder Woman up to date

Bringing Wonder Woman into the 21st century was always a priority, and Gal's version of the kick-ass female boss is perhaps the best yet (sorry Lynda Carter). Not only did the 30-year-old bulk up and put on 17lb of muscle to be the fit, strong woman the superhero lady represents, but her costume has had a fierce, feminist makeover. Gone is the flimsier red and blue super-sexy look of the 1970s, and in its place a hard, tough armour perfect for kicking butt.

Gal’s Wonder Woman is also flying the flag for the modern woman: the independent, self-sufficient type, someone a generation of girls can look up to.

'She is not relying on a man, and she’s not there because of a love story. She’s not there to serve someone else,’ Gal told Glamour magazine.

5. The plot will blow your mind, and can Batman ever REALLY stand a chance against Superman?

While little is actually known about the plot of the film - the production company bigwigs are keeping that under lock and key - it looks set to be an endless thrill ride interspersed with a touch of romance and insightful moments that hark back to the leading protagonists' troubled pasts.

A brief synopsis has revealed that the inhabitants of Gotham City are left confused over Superman - who shockingly becomes the subject of widespread public backlash - and their 'modern-day saviour' Batman. And, with the two at war with each other, it leaves the city open to a new and terrifying threat, 'putting mankind in greater danger than it has ever known before'. As villain Lex Luthor puts it, it's 'God versus man'. But can it ever really be a fair fight fought between the two, as surely Superman has the upper hand?

There's also a hint at a romance between Wonder Woman and Batman...

Plot twists aplenty: The storyline promises to be a nailbiter - not only is the general public confused over hero Superman, but he will take on Batman in a 'God versus man' war

New role: Ben looks to set pulses racing as he appears as Bruce Wayne and Batman, and there appears to be some steamy moments ahead with Gal's Diana Prince

There's a distinct Star Wars fatigue across Hollywood right now. Han Solo, Chewbacca and Luke Skywalker's return in the sci-fi series' seventh film at the end of 2015 was a milestone moment for movie buffs, but a few months on it's all a bit yawnsome. 

There's space for some epic cinematic newness, and what better way to whet your film-watching whistle with some good old-fashioned superhero comic book drama with a heavy dose of action, comedy, a smidgen of romance and two of Hollywood's hottest going head-to-head in an all-out clash of the titans. Jog on, Stormtroopers.

7. It's kind of a big deal, in case you hadn’t heard

If the comic book geeks are excited, then the rest of the movie-watching world has a reason to be, too. And boy, the geeks are looking forward to this one. Since it was revealed at the San Diego Comic-Con back in summer 2013, the hype and anticipation around the follow up to Man Of Steel has been relentless. 

This is the first time Batman and Superman have faced off against each other in a live action setting, and – as the second release from the DC Extended Universe (which will be followed by Suicide Squad this summer, and then Wonder Woman, plus plenty of others over the next few years) – there are incredibly high hopes that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is going to get the ball rolling with a bigger bang than Man of Steel did.

Clash of the titans: Comic geeks have been waiting eagerly for three years to see the first live action version of Batman and Superman battling it out

8. There's a stellar team behind the film

Director Zack Snyder doesn't do anything by halves and if his previous efforts are to be considered, then Batman V Superman is set to be an all guns blazing behemoth of cinematic brilliance. His previous credits include modern classics 300, Dawn Of The Dead and Watchmen, and he also helmed Man Of Steel. Not to mention his forthcoming DC Comics-based projects, Suicide Squad, Wonder Woman and Justice League Part One.

Not only that, but the screenwriters Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer have some serious clout in the industry: the former penned Argo (for which he won an Oscar) and also Man Of Steel, while the latter worked on The Dark Knight trilogy.

If that doesn't sway you, pretty much nothing will.

Teamwork makes the dream work: Director Zack Snyder (centre) is at the helm of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and the other DC Extended Universe films that are on the Hollywood horizon

9. There's a pedigree supporting cast too

If the triad of talent that is Affleck, Cavill and Gadot isn't enough to get you excited, check out the supporting cast. The Social Network's Jesse Eisenberg is a fraught and very complex baddie Lex Luthor (his persona looks unsettling in typical comic book film fashion), Oscar-nominated Amy Adams is back as Lois Lane, and English acting veteran Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth, following in the footsteps of Michael Caine from the Dark Knight trilogy. Diane Lane is also reprising her role as Clark Kent's adoptive mother after her impressive turn in Man Of Steel.

10.You get 2 for 1 tickets AND a limited edition toy if you use Comparethemarket.com

While going to watch a movie on your own is fine (it is 2016, after all), it's always nice to take a date or a pal with you. 

And with Comparethemarket.com, customers are being offered a superhero of an offer with 2 for 1 Meerkat Movies cinema tickets available. 

Those who buy through Comparethemarket.com will also be treated to a limited edition toy with the meerkats dressed up as either Batman or Superman - with Sergei, unsurprisingly dressed as fellow geek Clark Kent's superhero counterpart Superman, and millionaire meerkat Aleksandr dressed as wealthy Bruce Wayne's Batman. What's not to love about that?

Hero Offer: There are 2 for 1 Meerkat Movies cinema tickets available all year when you buy through  Comparethemarket.com, and you will also be treated to a limited edition toy with the meerkats dressed up as either Batman or Superman (pictured)

Brilliant baddie: Jesse Eisenberg looks set to be a twisted and fraught foe to Superman, the evil Lex Luthor

She's back! Amy Adams makes her return as Lois Lane in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice after her debut turn in Man Of Steel

11. It's a continuation of the Ben-aissance (and won't be anywhere near as bad as Daredevil)

There was a time when Ben was kind of the Hollywood punching bag: his films were mostly flops (bar Good Will Hunting), and his original superhero stint in Daredevil is something he - and the rest of the world - regrets. But, since 2012, following on from his Oscar-winning film Argo, in which he starred and also directed and produced, things have been on the up for him. The 2014 big-screen adaptation of best-selling and bone-chilling novel Gone Girl was a particular high point.

And he'll be appearing as brooding Batman in not only Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but also this summer's very star-studded suspected smash hit Suicide Squad.

The Ben-aissance continues: Following his earlier film flips (Daredevil, anyone?) Ben looks set to make a lasting impression as Batman, following in Christian Bale's footsteps with ease

12. It'll be a box office smash for sure, cashing in over $1bn

While Man of Steel’s box office takings were a none-too-shabby $668m, the projected global income based on advanced ticket sales for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is expected to be $1bn.

In fact, it’s highly likely that Batman and Superman’s first cinematic outing is set to be the first film of 2016 to smash that box office boundary. The Dark Knight Rises broke the billion barrier, too, so when you add the two comic book legends together it makes perfect sense it’ll fare even better. 

It's highly likely you'll get FOMO if everyone else you know has gone to see it and you haven't... 

13. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice might just be the most expensive movie ever made

You can throw a huge amount of money at a film and it may not be a smash hit (John Carter, anyone?) but there is little doubt that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is going to be worth every single penny. While initial figures put the budget at $250m for the creation of the film – the same cost as hit films including Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies – a recent report has claimed that it has actually gone up to $410million.

This would make it the most expensive film ever made: certainly worth a watch, just to see how that dough was spent. 

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice is out in UK cinemas on March 25. 

It'll be worth it: Batman V Superman looks set to be the most expensive movie ever made at a reported $410, and it is also estimated to smash the box office at a projected $1bn